Roy Hodgson rules out resignation

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has apologised for his perceived criticism of fans but has told supporters he will not resign over poor performances.

The 63-year-old also appealed to owners New England Sports Ventures for patience as he tries to bring long-term success to the club.

Hodgson heard the Anfield crowd turn on him after Wednesday's defeat to Wolves, which increased speculation about the 63-year-old's future.

The Kop sang the name of Kenny Dalglish and sarcastically chanted "Hodgson for England" as the team with the worst away record in England came to Anfield and secured a deserved victory.

Coming on the back of a 3-1 loss at Newcastle, Liverpool have now slipped to within three points of the relegation zone after their worst start since 1953/54.

After the game Hodgson upset fans by claiming he had never had the "famous Anfield support" but he apologised for those comments and stressed his determination to turn things around.

"Things have been misinterpreted," said Hodgson.

"I was responding to a question about how it felt to be jeered by fans, making it clear it hurts me and I was disappointed by it because no-one wants to feel they are unpopular.

"It's not been an easy ride for me and I was not the first-choice appointment with a lot of fans.

"But if I have offended them in any way I deeply regret that.

"All I can do is apologise and make it perfectly clear there was nothing offensive in my comments."

On his current position the former Fulham manager said: "It has taken me a long while to get to this elevated position coaching one of the best clubs in Europe.

"I was very pleased to get the job - I left a very good job to take it - so the last thing in my mind is walking away from a club like this or walking away from football.

"I want to be here, I want to change things, I want to turn it around and I want to help the club and the new owners get the success they want."

Despite recent performances having taken a turn for the worse it seems NESV are reluctant to effect a change of manager at the current time.

They may be forced to change their position, of course, if results fail to improve but Hodgson appears to have the time he has pleaded for to get the club on a surer footing.

"I can only beg for the patience and the time we need to do it, especially considering the difficult start we've had," he added.

"I am confident given that time and the competencies I possess and the quality of players we have in the club - with the possibility of maybe adding to that in future transfer windows - this club will once again be up the top there.

"In the past there was a little bit more time and patience but that has diminished over the years.

"If you go back over a longer period there was more patience as people realised it took time to build a team and turn things around.

"Now we - those of us who are working and those who are supporting - want the change to come very quickly.

"I know with the right amount of time and patience and with a little bit of luck we will get back to where we should be.

"We are not there at the moment and we have to keep working towards it.

"Let's not make everything ridiculously 'doomy and gloomy' because we lost a game.

"We are not in a crisis situation but on Wednesday we let ourselves down very badly and we have to bounce back and give a totally different performance against Bolton."

Midfielder Joe Cole is the only injury concern for tomorrow's visit of Owen Coyle's Wanderers side after the England international aggravated an ankle problem in training.